Fmr Vernon city manager indicted on felonies

October 19, 2010 3:22:31 PM PDT

The former city manager of Vernon was indicted Monday on charges of conflict of interest and public officer crime.A grand jury issued the indictment against Daniel O'Callaghan, 54, also known as Donal O'Callaghan.

O'Callaghan appeared in court Tuesday and pleaded not guilty to two counts of conflict of interest and one count of public officer crime, all felonies. An extra allegation of "excessive taking" was also issued since the alleged loss is more than $65,000.

According to L.A. County Deputy District Attorney Max Huntsman, O'Callaghan is alleged to have participated in creating a contract between the city and O'Callaghan's wife, Kimberly O'Callaghan, in 2007 and 2009. Huntsman said the loss exceeds $140,000.

O'Callaghan's bail was set at $50,000. He is due back in court Dec. 3. He faces four and a half years in prison if convicted.